Messages - eli72

I haven't used it for anything but sports, and typically I shoot at higher speeds to try to stop the action. Those were shot at ISO 2000, 1/1250 @ f3.2. I would generally not shoot handheld at less than 1/250 anyway given the 200mm focal length.

I have it, and have used it on numerous occasions to shoot hockey from the stands. It is light and easy to hold (I have the tripod collar on mine, and rest the foot on my left hand). The best part about it is that in many arenas you are limited to a lens of no more than 6", and that lens is right at 6" mounted. Also, because it's black, it doesn't draw the same attention as the 70-200.Here are a couple of examples.

On this topic (an a little off it as well), please recommend a little external flash that I can use for fill-flash on a 5D series body when traveling. I currently have a Metz Mecablitz 48 AF-1 that's great but way too big for that purpose.

The 270EX II is relatively small, sits low on top of the camera, and has some bounce capability as well. Uses 2AA batteries. Obviously, it suffers from the same issues as a pop-up flash - not very powerful and close enough to the lens that redeye can be a problem. But if you don't want to pack a 600EX-RT, it's small enough to carry easily when you might just need a little light.

Cool, I was looking at the Metz 24 AF-1, but it doesn't have high speed sync which is a deal breaker for me. How about the 270EX II, does it have HSS?

If you have a camera that has external flash control (e.g., 1Dx, 5D Mark III, 5D Mark II), you can set HSS on the 270EXII through the camera menu. Of course, depending on how high you set the shutter speed, you will cut down on the range significantly.

Thanks for your help. As you can see in my signature, my Canon bodies do have that ability so the 270EXII has now made it to my shopping list

On this topic (an a little off it as well), please recommend a little external flash that I can use for fill-flash on a 5D series body when traveling. I currently have a Metz Mecablitz 48 AF-1 that's great but way too big for that purpose.

The 270EX II is relatively small, sits low on top of the camera, and has some bounce capability as well. Uses 2AA batteries. Obviously, it suffers from the same issues as a pop-up flash - not very powerful and close enough to the lens that redeye can be a problem. But if you don't want to pack a 600EX-RT, it's small enough to carry easily when you might just need a little light.

Cool, I was looking at the Metz 24 AF-1, but it doesn't have high speed sync which is a deal breaker for me. How about the 270EX II, does it have HSS?

If you have a camera that has external flash control (e.g., 1Dx, 5D Mark III, 5D Mark II), you can set HSS on the 270EXII through the camera menu. Of course, depending on how high you set the shutter speed, you will cut down on the range significantly.

On this topic (an a little off it as well), please recommend a little external flash that I can use for fill-flash on a 5D series body when traveling. I currently have a Metz Mecablitz 48 AF-1 that's great but way too big for that purpose.

The 270EX II is relatively small, sits low on top of the camera, and has some bounce capability as well. Uses 2AA batteries. Obviously, it suffers from the same issues as a pop-up flash - not very powerful and close enough to the lens that redeye can be a problem. But if you don't want to pack a 600EX-RT, it's small enough to carry easily when you might just need a little light.

When I'm carrying two bodies, I use the Optech Dual Harness (since I use OpTech Pro straps with the long Pro Loops on my bodies, it's a simple matter to disconnect the long Pro Loop straps from the single Pro Loop neck strap and attach them to the Dual Harness) with two Spider holsters attached to a ThinkTank Steroid Speed Belt with the Pixel Racing Harness which spreads the weight between my shoulders and my hips. The nice thing about the Spider holsters is that unless you are really jumping around you don't need to lock the cameras in to keep them from falling out of the holster (but you can if you want to with a simple push of the locking pin). Also, if you use a flash it hangs straight down with the lens pointing to the rear and the body close to your leg, so it's not as likely to bump into things as you move. It may not be the most stylish rig, but I gave up worrying about what I look like when I'm shooting a long time ago.

It's small, it's light, and it doesn't attract scrutiny from the guards at some arenas (and, since some arenas ban lenses over 6", it fits just perfectly). Plus, if you're seated in the stands you're probably going to be shooting the 70-200 at 200 anyway.